Washburn Law Clinic

The Pathway To Practice

Participation in Washburn Law Clinic can help law students improve practice skills and cure courtroom jitters.

Law school classes provide an important educational foundation for students preparing to enter the legal profession. Clinical experience provides students the opportunity to apply this classroom knowledge in a professional and practical learning environment by representing real clients in real cases.

At Washburn Law, we offer a number of different practice areas.

Students enrolled in the Washburn Law Clinic are not merely law clerks performing support work but rather the Washburn Law clinical program is structured so that interns have primary responsibility for their clients' cases. The Kansas Supreme Court grants special permission to Clinic interns to practice law and represent clients in court. This valuable opportunity gives Clinic interns an advantage in the marketplace because by the time they graduate, they have already acquired real world experience. While Clinic interns are becoming effective lawyers, they are also providing free legal services to members of the community who cannot afford to hire private attorneys.

While working in the Law Clinic interns will

Counsel clients

Investigate case-related facts

Draft pleadings and argue motions

Negotiate with opposing counsel

Draft charter and governing documents and business agreements

Apply for tax-exempt status for nonprofit organizations

Conduct hearings and trials before the Shawnee County District Court, Topeka Municipal Court, U.S. District Court, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation District Court, and various administrative tribunals.

Interns also present appeals to the Kansas Court of Appeals, Kansas Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Clinic faculty members supervise each intern to ensure that every case activity is thoroughly planned, executed and then evaluated. The faculty also team teach a clinical skills class, using simulation, discussion and lecture to augment the Clinic learning experience. Topics include interviewing and counseling, applicable substantive law and procedures, case planning and strategic decision making, professional ethics and values, and negotiation skills.

The Washburn Law Clinic functions as an in-house general practice law firm, providing representation in practice areas such as:

Mission Statement:

To contribute to the education and development of law students into thoughtful, skilled, ethical attorneys by providing them with the opportunity to practice law and represent clients while under the personalized supervision of an experienced faculty attorney.

“Clinic has not only been a great opportunity for me to work on the skills I’ve learned in my classes, but it has also helped highlight things I need to work on to be come truly ‘practice ready.’”

— Lindsee Acton, Class of 2015

Why Should I Consider Taking Clinic?

Students who practice law in one of our 7 clinic practice areas have a legal skill-set that sets them apart from their law school peers. Employers know that Washburn Law Clinic students can "hit the ground running" because they have already learned to interact with clients; draft correspondence, pleadings and motions; negotiate with opposing counsel; and appear in court. Employers can count on clinic students to understand the importance of keeping accurate time records, managing multiple responsibilities, and meeting deadlines. In addition to these "hard" skills, clinic students learn "soft" skills such as interacting with supervising attorneys, office staff, and managing time. In short, clinic students can confidently tell employers they have practiced law before they even graduated from law school.

“Clinic has been a great experience. It has given me the chance to practice what I have learned so far. It has also given me the opportunity to work with wonderful people who really want to see you succeed. Without a doubt, Clinic has been the best educational experience I have had. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.”

Beginning Fall 2014, after students enroll in clinic, they will elect to take clinic for either a grade or credit/no credit. Students will have until the end of the first week of classes to change this election. Students must NOT inform the Law Clinic faculty or staff of their choice.

“The Clinic has taken the laws and concepts we are taught in the classroom and gives us the tools to apply them to real life. No longer do I deal with a former petitioner against a former respondent. Now, I am helping a real person with a real history that might not otherwise have the means to get help with their problems. For me, the clinic has taken the abstract and brought it to reality.”